She & Him
Volume One
Merge Records, 2008
3/5 stars
"Volume One" is from a time when music was honest - when songwriters didn't cover emotions with distorted instruments.She & Him combines the talents of actress Zooey Deschanel and indie singer-songwriter M. Ward.
Yes, Deschanel is a Hollywood star-gone-musician, but don't run away just yet. Her lovely voice stands on its own against the talented Ward, who hardly sings on the album.
Deschanel proves her talent with a downtempo opening track. The rest of the album is playful, like the female doo-wop groups of the '50s and '60s. Ward's arrangements with sensible guitar and light strings complement Deschanel's voice.
The only downfall is Deschanel truly channels past decades by overdoing the antiquated theme of the lovesick female. Lyrics such as "Got me tucked in your pocket" on "You Got Me" make her seem stereotypically submissive.
Nonetheless, "Volume One" is a charming, sunny album that one can enjoy with their parents - and that's not a bad thing.
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